A blog dedicated to coverage of rock news, reviews of CD's/DVD's, live gigs and interviews with musicians who have made rock music great!
Coverage of hard rock, classic rock, AOR and popular melodic rock music across the genre.
This blog is the creation of Alun Williams, a Brit now living in Michigan whose previous credits include writing for the following sites:
www.classicrock.about.com
www.classicrockrevisited.com
and www.rocknrolluniverse.com (Now gone)
I hope you enjoy your visit here!

Search This Blog

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Brief News Update for Tuesday March 8th, 2011

Genesis drummer / singer Phil Collins calls time on his career

The frontman for Genesis and the more than proven solo artist, Phil Collins, is quitting the the music industry ... At least for now!

I know, it's like they all say it don't they? Is it just another ploy to get more cash from one more farewell tour? I don't think so ....

Yesterday Phil Collins issued this statement at his website, on his decision. Fair comment if you ask me:

BREAKING NEWS - A Message From Phil ...

Greetings to all, I've decided to write this in response to the articles that surfaced last weekend regarding my retirement. Why they were printed at all is a mystery, as I haven't spoken to anybody in the press for a few months.

However, many of the articles printed over the last few months have ended up painting a picture of me that is more than a little distorted. Therefore, I would like to add my comments and try to explain again my reasons for calling it a day.

1/ I'm not stopping because of dodgy reviews or bad treatment in the press.

2/ I'm not stopping because I don't feel loved, I know I still have a very large fanbase that loves what I do. Thank you.

3/ I'm not stopping because I don't fit in, this was proved with "Going Back" reaching No 1 in the UK, and doing incredibly well worldwide.

4/ I'm not stopping so I can dive full time into my interest for the Alamo.

I am stopping so I can be a full time father to my two young sons on a daily basis.

Some of the things mentioned above have been said by me in various interviews, but said as asides with a smile on my face and in passing. They were not meant to be "headlines", they were small parts of a conversation. This clearly doesn't come over in print and I should know better.

However, the result is that I have ended up sounding like a tormented weirdo who thinks he was at the Alamo in another life, who feels very sorry for himself, and is retiring hurt because of the bad press over the years.

None of this is true.

Thanks for all your messages on the Forum regarding this stuff, it means a lot that you care.

Strange as it may seem, this is not announced through the band's official website first, but yes, Journey's MySpace page, has announced details of a number of live US summer dates, with the band being joined by Foreigner and Night Ranger!

NEW "HEAVY METAL BAY" WEBSITE -THE ONLINE MARKET PLACE DEDICATED TO THE METAL COMMUNITY IS NOW OPEN.

NEW "HEAVY METAL BAY" WEBSITE IS THE ONLINE MARKET PLACE DEDICATED TO THE METAL COMMUNITY WHERE YOU CAN SELL, BUY AND AUCTION ANYTHING TO DO THE WITH METAL MUSIC IS NOW OPEN. FOR THE NEXT MONTH, LISTING AN ITEM IS FREE!

Are there a few one-of-a-kind pieces of heavy metal pieces that are missing from your collection, and you just can’t get a decent night’s sleep until you can get your hands on them?

Is there an album you want to lay your hands on? Do you have a poster to sell? Anything, as long as its heavy metal!

Your wishes will now be granted metalheads, as http://www.heavymetalbay.com/ is open for business, and will satisfy all of your headbanging needs.

This website is a unique online market place for the heavy metal music loving community and features any product related in any way, shape, or form to heavy metal - new, used, historic, collectable, http://www.heavymetalbay.com/ is your “go-to” site! Music, videos, memorabilia, clothing, jewellery, posters, instruments, amps - all are featured.

And to celebrate the site's launch, ALL AUCTION LISTINGS FOR THE NEXT MONTH ARE FREE! Unlike other similarly-styled websites, you will not need a PayPal account to buy items on http://www.heavymetalbay.com/. In addition to locating fantastic finds, the site will feature a concert guide to find local gigs from new and established bands. Also, you will be able to promote your own band or your own show, large or small – fees are within the budget of ordinary mortals.

Heavy Metal Bay.com was founded by Denise Dale (a.k.a Denise Love) who is no stranger to metal music, she is known in the music industry as an international booking agent specializing in the heavy metal music genre. Her company, Metal Music Bookings (http://www.metalmusicbookings.com/), has booked such artists as Tarja, Michael Schenker, Cinderella, Blind Guardian and Yngwie Malmsteen to name just a few. Denise saw a need for a specialist website which brings together the metal music community. Heavy Metal Bay.com is no doubt the only trading auction site on the net that is dedicated to metal music fans, promoters, and bands worldwide.

The time is upon us metalheads, to start rummaging through your closet, basement, or garage for any metallic artifacts you’d like to turn into cash, and start putting together your wish lists. HeavyMetalBay.com is open for business!

HOLLYWOOD, CA (March 7, 2011) - MR. BIG will once again unleash their brand of brutal fury to the masses in Hollywood, Saturday April 2nd at the House Of Blues with their very first US show in 15 years! "Man, it's been a long time,” states guitarist Paul Gilbert. "I can't wait to play in L.A... actually, I can't wait to play our first show in AMERICA in about 15 years. It's gonna be huge!"

"What If …" is MR. BIG’s first all original album since the reunion of the four original members, Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehanand Pat Torpey back in early 2009. Sixteen years after the release of "Hey Man," the new recording is set to bring back MR. BIG on the height of the current Hard Rock scene.

Guitarist Paul Gilbert said: “This is the first MR. BIG album I have been a part of, since fourteen years and it was done in a snap. It was fun and we had really a good time in making this one”. Continues Billy Sheehan,“It’s so great to be back with Paul, Eric and Pat too. We wrote this record like we did in the old days for the first 2 records. Jamming together in the same room to write songs”.Pat Torpey adds “Some of the recording process is different now from what we were used to in the old times. But I think this record really managed to capture the performances of the band, not of the individual musicians”.

Their hits included "To Be With You" (BillboardHot 100 number one single in 15 countries for weeks, in 1991, propelling the band the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions), "Wild World", Green-Tinted sixties Mind", "Just Take My Heart" and a host of heavy metal songs that were played mostly during their live performances: "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy", "Addicted to that Rush", "Colorado Bulldog" and "Take Cover".

“What If…” is released in a special edition CD + DVD in digipak, regular CD, vinyl and digital download and in a limited edition luxury box including the CD, DVD, LP and exclusive memorabilia.

“What If…” tracklisting includes: Undertow; American Beauty; Stranger In My Life; Nobody Takes the Blame; Still Ain’t Enough for Me; Once Upon a Time; As Far As I Can See; All The Way Up; I Won’t Get In My Way; Around The World; I Get The Feeling; Unforgiven (exclusive bonus track for Europe / North America – not on vinyl edition).

The DVD will include the videoclips of “Undertow” and “All the Way Up” plus a documentary “Making of” the album including interviews and exclusive behind the scenes features of the four members.